Paper-hanger&#39;s straightedge, guide, and clamp



May 2.7-, 1924. 1,495,404

W. W. DECKER PAPER HNGERS ISTRAIGl'iTEDGE,A GUIDE, AND CLAN? Filed Jan. 26 1923 Patented May 27, 1924.

WALTER w. DECKER, 0E NEW HAVEN,- coNNEorICUT.

PAPER-HANGERS STRAIGHTEDGE, GUIDE, AND CLAMP.

Application filed January 26, 1923.

T0 all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER W. DECKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Haven, in the county of .New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper Hangers Straightedges, Guides, and Clamps, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of my specification. Y

My invention relates to a straight-edge of the type generally employed by paper hangers for the purpose of trimming wall paper; the invention contemplating a straight-edge provided with means whereby the user will be guided in the proper placing of the straight-edge on the paper throughout the length of the paper, namely parallel with the selvage of the wall paper, throughout the length of the exposed strip on' the table, so that a uniform amount of selvage may be trimmed or cut from the paper.

The invention also contemplates means whereby the straight-edge will be clamped to the table on which the paper is trimmed, after the proper distance or placing of the straight-edge from the margin of the paper has been determined by the guide elements; this means, whereby the clamping means is controlled, at thesame time positioning the4 guide elements so as not to interfere with the trimming of the paper.

The guide and clamping means just refererd to are adapted to be applied to the usual type of graduated straight-edge generally employed by paper hangers and which may be of various engths.

The purpose and operationof my invention, as well as its advantages, will be more fully comprehended fromv the following detailed description of the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective, the applicatio-n of my invention to the usual type of paper hangers table, showing the same clamped into place across a sheet of paper, after the proper aligning of the straight-edge with the paper andv movement of the guide-elements into inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a planview of my improved straight-edge with intermediate portions broken away and a portion of the mechanism shown in section.

Serial No. 615,030.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the angular line A3-3 of Figure .2 looking in.

the direction of the arrows. Figure lis a similar view taken onthe line 4;-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows. f

My invention relates more particularly to the means for guiding thevoperator inthe proper placing of the straight-edge relative to the margin or selvage of the paper; and also to the means whereby the straight-edge will be clamped into place on the table after the straight-edge hasl been properly positioned in its relation to the margin of the i paper; and as the invention is intended to be applied to the usual type of straight-edge employed, the latter, which is shownat 10, need not bespeciically described beyond the statement that it is provided with the usual scale or graduations as shown, andy pro` threaded Shanks adapted to screw into the straight-edge at suitable distances apart;

with their heads or exposed portions provided with openings eXtending therethrough for the passage of the rod 11 whereby the latter is maintainedl in slight spaced relation with the upper surface of the straightedge and equi-distantly from the longitudinal edges of the straight-edge throughout the length thereof.

In order to permit proper packing and shipping of my improved mechanism, I have shown the rod 11 provided with a joint intermediate of its ends, which is shown in the nature of a short member 13, socketed at both ends to receive the rabbetted or reduced ends of the rod 11 which are secured in the sockets of the member 13 by means of suitableJ screws or pins, as at 14, so as to permit both ends of the rod 11 to fold into substantially parallel relation with' each other while the mechanism is still unattached -from the straight-edge proper.

One end of the rod 11 is also provided with a. supporting member or bracket 15, which is secured adjacent the end of the straight-edge proper, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and held in place in any suitable manner, as for example by bolt or screw shown in dotted lines at 16. This end of the rod 11 is adapted to extend through bracket 15 and has secured to it a short arm or member 17 which is also preferably secured to bracket 15 by means of a screw 18, see Figure 4; while the rod 11 is secured in the arm 17 by means of a suitable screw and washer, as shown at 19 in Figure 4, whereby movement of the rod lengthwise of the straight-edge will be prevented. rlhe lower end of the short arm 17 is provided with a block or member 2O provided with an opening therethrough for the passage of arm 17 and the member 2O is maintained in adjusted position on arm 17 by means of a setscrew 21. 1n practice, the member 2O is adjusted on arm 17 so as to permit it to engage with the underside of the table or board 22 and have wedging relation therewith, thereby maintaining the straight-edge against accidental displacement.

The opposite end of rod l1 is preferably enlarged or provided with a fer-rule, as at 23, see Figure 3, which is provided with a quick spiral groove or thread at 24 adapted to receive a pin or lug 25 arranged in the socket of a ferrule or sleeve 26 which is slidably mounted on the enlarged portion 23 of the rod 11. The construction is such that slight rotative movement of rod 11 about its own axis will induce the lug or pin 25 to move or draw the sleeve or member' 26 lengthwise of the end of rod 11. This end of rod 11 is supported in a bracket member 27 which is socketed to permit sliding movement of sleeve member 26; the bracket member 27 being suitably secured to the straightedge 10, as for example -by a screw shown in dotted lines at 28 in Figure 3. rFhe bracket member 27 is provided with an arm 29 extending from the upper side of the bracket 27 outwardly beyond the end of the straight-edge and preferably parallel therewith; and the outer end of this arm has a clamp-member 30 pivoted thereto at 31. The clamp member 30 is preferably shown bifurcated at the upper end thereof so as not only to straddle the arm 29, but also permit tween.

a lug 32 to be pivotally secured therebe- The lug 32 is secured to or made integral with sleeve member 26, see Figure 3. rlhe lug or member 32 has its lower end pivotally connected at 33 to the clamp member 30.

rAt any convenient point, rod 11 is provided with a grasp or handle 34 secured in any suitable manner to the rod 11 so as to compel the rod to rotate about, its axis when the grasp or handle 34 is oscillated vertically. The' spiral groove 24 is so disposed raeaaea in the enlarged end 23 of'rod 11 that the pin or lug 25 of sleeve member 26 will be caused to move inwardly along the spiral groove 23, namely in a direction toward the opposite end of the rod, when the grasp orhandle 34 has been oscillated upwardly into the perpendicular position shown in Figure 1, that is in a direction which will cause rod 11 to be rotated in a direction away from the near or forward side of the straightedge and the table as viewed in Figure 1. The movement of the sleeve 26 along rod 11, as just described, causes the lug 32 to move toward the end of the straight-edge and therefore, by reason of its pivotal connection at the lower end, oscillates clamp-ineinber 30 about its pivotal point 31, thereby forcing the lower end of member 30 into clamping position. Downward movement of grasp or handle 34 into the position in Figure 2, will cause the positioning of the correlated clamp-forming elements shown in Figure 3. It is evident from the construction shown and described, that the straightedge may be quickly clamped to the table or board by merely bringing the lug or projection 2O on the lower end of arm 17 beneath the end of the board or table and then turning' the grasp or handle 34 into the position shown in Figure 1, causing rod 11 to rotate, which, by reason of the quick lead or direction of groove 24, forces or draws the sleeve member 26 inwardly, lengthwise of the rod, which in turn causes lug 32 to swing the lower end of clamp-member 30 into firm clamping engagement with the adjacent end of the board or table 22, as illustrated in Figure 1.

At suitable intervals throughout the length of the rod 11, I provide guide elements which comprise socketed or hollow members 35 which are provided with dogs or guide members 36, the outer ends of heads whereof are preferably tapered and of a length to extend into the plane of the lower side of the straight-edge so as to permit the ends of the dogs, or rather of the head portions thereof, to come into contact with the edge of the paper, which is shown at A, to be trimmed.

The hollow or socketed members 35 are shown provided with slots, as at 37, in the sides thereof for the passage of the threaded end of thumb-screws 38, which screw into tapped apertures in the sides of the dogs or members 36. The thumb-screws 38 are adapted to hold the dogs in their drawn out or adjusted positions. The dogs or members 36 are each provided with similar graduations, preferably on the upper surface thereof, as shown at the left hand end in Figure 2 where a portion of one of the socketed members 35 is shown broken away. rllhese graduations enable the operator to adjust all of the dogs 36 in a similar manner relative to the edge llO lis

of the straight-edge; the dogs being intended to be drawn out from the socketed members 35 a distance commensurate with the amount of trimming that is to be done on the paper; that is, the dogs are adapted to be drawn out to a degree corresponding with the width of the selvage of the paper to be cut olif, so that when the straight-edge is put into place on top of the paper as shown in Figure 1, with the depending head portions of the dogs all in Contact with the edge of the paper, the straight-edge will be in proper position throughout its length, relative to the longitudinal edge of the paper to begin the trimming operation. The socketed members 35 are secured to the rod 11 so as to move therewith.

In practice, after the operator or paper hanger has unrolled a quantity of paper on the table, the operator determines the width of the selvage or quantity of paper he desires to trim from the roll of paper; the dogs 36 are then drawn out from their socketed members a distance` corresponding with the width of selvage or portion it is intended to cut off; the similar adjustment of the dogs being readily accomplished by means of the corresponding scale or graduations thereon. The straight-edge is then placed on top of the paper, namely lengthwise of the table, with all of the dogs in contact with the longitudinal edge of the paper. As is evident, this will determine the proper placing or position of the straight-edge relative to the edge of the paper; it being understood, of course, that after the dogs have been adjusted they are locked in their adjusted position by screwing up the thumb-screws 38. The proper aligning of the straight-edge with the paper having been accomplished as described, the operator then grasps handle 34 and swings it upwardly into the position shown in Figure 1, which operation will rotaterod 11 and force the clamp element 30 into `engagement with the adjacent end of the table as previously described. Longitudinal movement of the straight-edge is prevented by the clamp element at the other end of the device, which may be similar to the one shown at the left end of the straight-edge, or be in the nature of a permanent clamp comprising the elements 17 and 20; and the clamp-actuating movement of rod 11 will simultaneously move all of the guide elements or dogs upward into the position shown in Figure 1, thereby leaving the forward side of the straight-edge unobstructed for the trimming operation.

It is evident from the construction shown and ldescribed that my invention may be easily applied to a straight-edge by securing the respective posts and brackets at proper points throughout the length thereof so as to properly support the rod or rotatable member; it being also apparent that before the mechanism is secured to the straight-edge proper, it may be folded into convenient and compact form by reason of the intermediate joint or connection with which rod 11 is preferably provided.

I have shown and described what I believe to be a simple embodiment of my invention and its adaptation, but the same may be altered in certain details without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. A device of the class described, vcomprising a straight-edge, means rotatably secured thereto and disposed lengthwise of the straight-edge, clamping means secured to the ends of the irst mentioned means so as to be controlled thereby and arranged to overlap the ends of the straight-edge and depend beneath the same, and means whereby the iirst mentioned means may be rotated and the second mentioned means thereby moved into or out of clamping position.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, a rod disposed lengthwise of the straight-edge and rotatably secured thereto, clamping means secured to the ends of the rod so as to overlap the ends of the straight-edge and depend beneath the same, a portion of said means having slot and pin connection with the rod whereby said portion is adapted to move into and out of clamping position when said rod is rotated, and means for controlling said rod.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, a rod disposed lengthwise of the straight-edge and rotatably secured thereto, means secured at the ends of the straight-edgev adapted to clamp the-latter into position on a table, and means intermediate of the rod and a portion of said first mentioned means whereby rotation of the rod will cause said portion of the means to move into and out of clamping position.

4. A device of the class described, com prising a straight-edge, a rod disposed llO ably secured thereto, means secured to the vends of the rod so as to overlap the ends of the straight-edge, means intermediate of one end of the rod and a portion of said first means whereby the rotation of the rod will cause said portion of the means to move into and out of clamping position, and guiding means secured to said rod so as to rotate therewith, said guiding means being adapted to extend beyond and beneath the forward or trimming side of the straighted e.

A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, means rotatably secured thereto, clamping members secured at the ends of the straight-edge so as to depend beneath the same, means intermediate of said first means and one of the clamping members whereby the latter is moved in directions toward or away -from the straightedge when said first means is rotated, and means whereby the first means may be rotated.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, means rotatably secured thereto, clamping means secured at the end of the straight-edge so as to depend beneath the same, means reciprocatingly mounted intermediate of the first means and the second means whereby movement of the second means is induced when the first means are rotated, said slidably mounted means having slot and pin connection with the first means whereby the third means are reciprocated when the first means are rotated, and means whereby the first means may be rotated.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, a rod disposed lengthwise of the straight-edge and rotatably secured thereto, a clamping member pivotally secured at one end of the straightedge so as to depend beneath the same, a member operatively connected to the clamping member and having slot and pin connection with the rod, the slot being spirally disposed so that rotation of the rod will cause said second member to reciprocate and thereby move the clamping member into or out of clamping position, and means whereby the rod may be rota-ted.

8. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, means rotatably secured thereto, clamping means secured at the ends of the straight-edge and adapted to be controlled by the first means, means whereby the first means may be rotated and the clamping means thereby moved into or out ot clamping position, and guiding means secured to the first means so as to be moved into and out of operative position through the rotation of the first means.

9. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, means rotatably secured thereto, clamping means secured at the ends of the straight-edge and adapted to be controlled by the first means, means intermediate of the first means and a portion of the clamping meanswhereby rotation of the first means willcause said portion of the clamping means to be moved into or out off clamping position, and guiding means secured to said first means and adapted to be disposed toward the 'front or cutting side of the straight-edge, said guiding means comprising graduated slidably mounted elements whereby the position of the straightneeaeoe edge relatively to the longitudinal edge of the paper to be trimmed may be determined.

it). A device of the class described, comprising' a straight-edge, a rod disposed lengthwise of the straight-edge and rotatably secured thereto, a clamping member pivotally secured at one end ot the straightedge so as to depend beneath the same, a member operatively connected with the clamping member and having slot and piu connection with the rod, the slot being so disposed that rotation of the rod will cause said second member to reciprocate and thereby move the clamping member into or out of clamping position, and guiding means secured to said rod so as to move therewith, said guiding means comprising socketed members and graduated members slidably mounted in said soclreted members.

li. A device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, means rotatably secured thereto, clamping members secured at the ends of the straight-edge so as to depend beneath the same, means intermediate of the first means and one of the clamping members whereby the latter is caused to move toward or away from the straight-edge when the first means is rotated, and guiding means secured to the first means so as to be positioned thereby, said guiding means being extensible transversely ot the straight-edge and disposed toward a longitudinal side ot the straight-edge.

l2. .er device of the class described, comprising a straight-edge, a rod disposed lengthwise of the straight-edge and rotatably secured thereto, clamping members secured at the ends of the straight-edge so as to depend beneath the same, one of said clamping members being pivotally secured so as to swing toward or away from the straight-edge, a member operatively connected with said pivotally secured clamping mem-ber and having slot and pin connection with 'the rod, said slot being spirally disposed so that rotation of the rod will cause the second member to reciprocate and thereby move the pivoted ciamping member into and out ot clamping position, and guiding means secured at spaced intervals apart on said rod, said guiding means comprising socketed members, graduated members slidably mounted in the soclreted members, and means whereby the adjusted relation between the soclreted members and graduated members may be maintained.

'WALTER W. DECKER. `Witnesses 1 u'nn'rnunn L. MoCLIsH, FnANcrs JOHN McCLrsH. 

